5 Biggest Winners From The First-Round Of The 2024 NFL Draft…And The 5 Biggest Losers
Just like that the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone—and boy, was it a doozy. Yes, there was some chalk, but there we had a few stunning decisions mixed in.
Let’s take a way too early look back and declare the five biggest winners and losers from round one.
Which teams came away as winners and losers in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Winner – Indianapolis Colts: UCLA DE Laiatu Latu (No. 15 overall)
The Colts were wise to end the craziness and snag Laiatu Lau out of UCLA, as the first defensive player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. They were able to secure great value thanks to the way that other teams were prioritizing their selections this year.
There is some consternation around the defensive end’s long-term health, as there was a point during his stint at Washington that people thought he might never play football again due to a neck injury, but he worked his way back and got the green light to play ball again and has never looked back. At UCLA, he proved to be a freak of nature, with enough power to drive much larger linemen backward, and what really excited scouts was he was actually surprisingly technical with his hand and footwork as well.
The Colts were a great story last year, but really needed reinforcements on the defensive line—and it looks like they got it with Latu!
Loser – Carolina Panthers: South Carolina WR Xavier Legette (No. 32 overall)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Xavier Legette #WO14 of the South Carolina Gamecocks speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Draft Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
I mean, no shocker here, but once again David Tepper and the Carolina Panthers were huge losers on Draft Day. Granted, nothing could be worse than last year… and this year’s failures were in part a by-product of the impulsive decision to trade up for Bryce Young last season, but still—not a pretty scene down in Charlotte.
Once again, Tepper and his underlings got trigger-happy and consolidated draft capital, this time just Day 3 picks, thankfully, and moved up to the final pick in the first round to snag former South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette. Kudos to Carolina for doing something to help out their struggling youngster under center, but Legette was just a one-year starter and still a big roll of the dice that they probably didn’t need to trade up for.
Winner – Chicago Bears: USC QB Caleb Williams (No. 1 overall), Washington WR Rome Odunze (No. 9)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 18: Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans looks on during the second half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
While it is to throw your hands up and say, “Well, they had the first pick in the draft! How could the Bears not be a winner on Draft Day?”
Oh… I don’t know—why don’t you ask the 2023 Carolina Panther? Yes, that was slightly different circumstances, but I digress. The Chicago Bears won on 2024 Draft Day and won big. Not only did they validate the moves they made last year by capitalizing on that top spot to take Caleb Williams, who was widely believed to be the top quarterback prospect for the past two years, but they also had the good fortune of Rome Odunze, the uber-talented wide receiver out of Washington falling to them at nine.
Against all odds, the Chicago Bears should have one of the most entertaining offenses in the NFC next year—and that is largely due to their efforts on Draft Day.
Loser – Atlanta Falcons: Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. (No. 8 overall)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 08: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies throws the ball in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons are sort of the bizarro world Bears from this year’s 2024 NFL draft because as much positive buzz as Chicago has gotten after the first round, Atlanta Falcons has gotten roasted—and with good reason. After investing a significant amount of money this offseason in a long-term deal with free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, Atlanta decided to blow its number eight overall pick on another quarterback, Michael Penix Jr.
While Penix is talented, we are talking about a guy who had four season-ending injuries during his college career at Indiana before reinventing himself within Washington’s high-flying system. He is also already 24 years old, which makes the decision to pair him with Cousins all the more confounding. There is no clear vision for how they are building this roster down in Hotlanta.
Winner – Kansas City Chiefs: Texas WR Xavier Worthy (No. 28 overall)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 24: Xavier Worthy #1 of the Texas Longhorns reacts after a touchdown in the third quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs are winners coming out of the first round of the NFL Draft—if for no other reason—for making Patrick Mahomes happy, which he indicated he was on Twitter. Beyond keeping their All-Universe QB satiated, the pick itself actually makes a ton of sense. The main knock on Kansas City last year, which is funny to say—considering they won the Super Bowl—was the lack of offensive weapons outside of Mahomes and Kelce.
The acquisition of Xavier Worthy, the speedy wide receiver out of Texas, should do well to help fill the void that has remained since Tyreek Hill departed for South Beach. Worthy is slightly undersized, but his blistering 4.21 speed, in conjunction with Mahomes’s arm strength, could be the stuff of nightmares for opposing defenses, as the two will be able to stretch the field in a rare way and open up a ton of opportunities underneath for the likes of Kelce and Rashee Rice.
Loser – New York Giants: LSU WR Malik Nabers (No. 6 overall)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 25: Malik Nabers #8 of the LSU Tigers celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)Let’s face it, the New York Giants have a whole lot more issues with their roster than merely the wide receiver position. Malik Nabers is a great player who had an awesome career at LSU, and he will likely be a good pro, but the fit just doesn’t make sense after his selection in the 2024 NFL draft. New York was completely unable to protect the quarterback last year nor was it able to open up holes at the line scrimmage for Saquon Barkley.
New York either needed to hit a hard reset at quarterback or start bolstering their line so they are able to properly evaluate Daniel Jones during what many believe will be his final season in town.
Winner – Detroit Lions: Alabama DB Terrion Arnold (No. 24 overall)
AUBURN, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 25: Terrion Arnold #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after intercepting the final pass of the game in their 27-24 win over the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions were the darling of the NFL last year as Dan Campbell’s scrappy crew evolved into true juggernauts and marched all the way to within one game of a Super Bowl appearance. While the team’s defense improved in the second half of the year, that was clearly an area that needed to be addressed through the draft. It was an older bunch, and they really seemed to struggle when they were put up against any sort of pressure.
This need became further magnified after Detroit parted ways with Cameron Sutton this offseason. Detroit was wise to trade up with Dallas to go get their guy, Alabama cornerback, Terrion Arnold, at 24th overall. He was considered a top 10 to 15 value for most of the pre-draft process, and it was curious that he fell this late to begin with. If he can get up to speed quickly, he should be invaluable in sure-ing up that Lions D as Campbell tries to get this group over the hump.
Loser – Las Vegas Raiders: Georgia TE Brock Bowers (No. 13 overall)
AUBURN, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 30: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after scoring the go-ahead touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Raiders very much fall into that New York Giants category of hmm, maybe there were bigger fish to fry. Brock Bowers was widely believed to be a top prospect coming into the 2024 NFL draft, so the temptation to grab him at 13 is understandable, but the former Georgia Bulldog simply can’t be a magic bullet for that offense that is without a true starting quarterback or any real presence on the offensive line.
It would be one thing if his blocking skillset was believed to be as elite as his ability to get open and catch the ball, but it is more so “good enough” than a differentiator. This one has all the makings of a big-name flop in Sin City.
Winner – Philadelphia Eagles: Toledo DB Quinyon Mitchell (No. 22 overall)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Quinyon Mitchell #DB27 of Toledo participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
All Howie Roseman does is pick winners, we have seen that over and over during his tenure in Philadelphia. In 2024, he deployed a slightly different strategy than we’ve seen in years past and stayed put rather than navigating the trade market to move picks, but he got the Birds a heck of a cornerback in doing so. Quinton Mitchell, out of Toledo, was one of the more high-upside defensive backs in the league.
Capitalizing on the offensive run of picks early in the draft to get him at 22 was a huge win for Philadelphia. Mitchell also fits the mold of the modern corner well with his six-foot frame and long arms that made him one of the best ball defenders in the college game. He should go a long way toward helping solidify that Eagles defensive backfield, which was a huge weak point for them in the second half of last season.
Loser – Denver Broncos: Oregon QB Bo Nix (No. 12 overall)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 01: Founder and current chairman emeritus of Nike, Inc Phil Knight (R) congratulates quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Oregon Ducks following the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Ducks defeated the Flames 45-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
I understand that the Broncos are desperate for an answer at the quarterback position after the horrendous outcome of the Russell Wilson trade, but doubling down for Bo Nix has a far greater chance of bankrupting the team than lining their pockets. Nix played well during his final season of college ball, but one would expect that considering the immense experience and age advantage he had over his opponents. After all, we are talking about a guy that did have 61 career college starts.
This isn’t to say that Nix can’t turn into a serviceable pro after he was selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, but his skill set doesn’t exactly jump out at you and scream take me 12 overall. In fact, many believe that Denver might’ve even been able to get him in the second round had they not gotten trigger-happy and taken him that early.
